What Independence Day means to me

Independence Day meant a lot more to me in high school than it does now. We composed songs and poems about it and looked forward to going to Kololo to present them. We paid attention to speeches and actually appreciated the struggle of our fore fathers. Now it’s all too political. I can correctly guess the content in all the speeches. So right now, Independence Day feels like just another public holiday, a day away from work.
Allen Mukooki- Communication expert

It has no meaning to me. I only celebrate Martyrs Day, Christmas and other Christian-related days. I am not happy with how the country finances are being run. As a businessman, I have lost confidence in the financial system of the country. The farmer is milking the cow without feeding it. All our government cares about is taxing us. They ought to be priotise on export of locallymanufactured goods, improvement and modernisatin of infrastructure, education, the health sector and ICT development. MPs salaries are way too high. They should earn a modest Shs3m rather than Shs24m.
Allan Gyaviira- businessman

To me, it is irrelevant and because we still depend on imports, foreign aid, the dollar determines prices for even the smallest household item. Also, current leaders think it is only them that are meant to lead. Independence was just a change of guards. Anything made in Uganda is regarded as fake, be it art or music or even a cloth. People will always opt for imported stuff.
Viboyo- artiste

To me, it is reflection of self-belief as a Ugandan that we can do things our way, from leading ourselves politically to building self-sustaining economy, but it is not achieved by celebrating just one day every year. Since 1962, we have been celebrating October 9 for self-rule. We need to pose and ask ourselves, what kind of Independence we want to have. One where we can pull our people out of poverty and hunger or where we keep depending on the outside world including importing everything including plastic shoes from China while our rich resources are exported in raw form?
Abiaz Rwamwiri-Communications Practitioner

We sought Independence to drive our own affairs as a country. To me, it is a time to reflect and ask myself, “How am I using my unique gifts to serve my country?” Outside my 8am to5.30pm job, I run a coaching programme, Imagine Me. Through this process, I help people touch base with their life purpose. There is no better way to celebrateIndependence than to operate within one’s gift, to serve a country.
Joan Mugenzi-Regional Community Health Systems Advisor, World Vision International

It means holiday, party with friends from office and having a good time. There’s no such thing as true Independence yet we still need colonialists, for example their monetary donations, etc. So, as a young person, I just look forward to having a good time with friends as we await true Independence.
Keko- artiste

For me it’s just another day off work to indulge in one or two of my passions. I am not so much into the historical significance now as when I was a child. Maybe also Ugandan history is not so deeply ingrained in me as Kenyan history since I didn’t grow up here, but I remember I loved Madaraka day in Kenya because of the movies that used to be shown about the struggle for independence, all in black and white and the air displays by the Air Force.
Belinda Atim- Uwec publicist

For me, it is all about moving from an organised colonial government to a disorganised localised government. Before Independence, the government units, that is the Executive, the Judiciary, and Parliament were independent of each other and very effective. After Independence, they started overlapping and the executive almost took overall control. People lost trust in the military and believe it or not, the military is also an organ of the state. The whole governance is centred at the executive, hence the disorganisation.
Hajji Ashraf Simwogerere- actor

To me, Independence Day is a reminder of our struggles. It’s also a reminder to be thankful never forgetting the people that fought for that Independence. It’s also a reflection of the long journey we have ahead.
Stellah Nantumbwe- former Miss Uganda

Independence Day to me means celebrating the day we were given our freedom officially from our colonialists, the British, though we are not Independent because we are still under what we call neo-colonialism. We are still getting donations under their own conditions whether bad or good. We are still using their language as our official language. We are getting loans from them with strings attached to finance our social, political and economic activities in Uganda. Do we have reason to celebrate independence?
Josephine Nakafeero- fashion designer